THERE’S no doubt staff are hard to find on the Mornington Peninsula these days, but one business owner says he can’t even open his new business.
Barber shop owner David Serra wants to open his new business in Main Street, Mornington next week, but not without workers to cut hair.
“I’ve advertised for weeks on many places but not one applicant, and we are even willing to offer above award wages,” he said.
“We also run a barber shop in Mount Eliza, and the story is the same, although at least we can open that one.
“I don’t know where all the hair cutters have gone, there’s work here if people want it.”
Serra said there seemed to have been an exodus from people in the industry since the pandemic began, and the shortage was not easing.
“But people are still getting their hair cut, there is still demand,” he said.
The Australian Hairdressing Council says the problem is being experienced everywhere after COVID prompted many people to reassess their careers, work from home, or leave their former industries.
The drop in immigration is also believed to be partly responsible.
But for salon and barber shop owners like Serra, all he can do is wait by the phone.
Any qualified cutters/barbers who are interested can phone David Serra on 0457 644621.
First published in the Mornington News – 22 November 2022
